Everyone from Montreal
since 2003, ckut 90.3fm has broadcasted from the frozen streets of montreal in the middle of winter, amplifying the voices of homeless people on radio stations across canada. the radio marathon on homelessness and its solutions begins at sunset and continues through sunrise. listeners are encouraged to call-in toll free so that they can have their say.
Empty and forgotten. Discarded like last week's newspaper. The feeling of loneliness and despair is all too real. Questions that have no answers, and answers that seem to bring only more questions. This is but a glimpse into the life and mind of an adopted child.
Hi. My name is Donald Grant Renshaw. Born September 7, 1977 at the Women’s College Hospital in Toronto. This is my story.
My birth mother was a junkie and a prostitute, and my birth father’s role is still very unclear. Despite pleas from her family to have an abortion, she stayed strong and brought me into this world. It is a shame that I never got to know her.
My mother died 4 months after I was born due to drug complications and Hep C. This was just the beginning of a tale of abandonment, abuse, rejection and ultimately betrayal. All the trimmings of a best-selling novel, even a movie, but sadly it’s real life. My life.
From birth to age 31/2 I was a "Ward of the State". This means that I was CAS property and responsibility. I was placed in a foster home with a good family. But not a real one.
A couple that already had two daughters adopted me, one was their own, and the other was also adopted. I don’t have many memories of my early years, but the scars from five on would last a lifetime and more.
When one is told that: "You will just be like your mother" on a regular basis, with all the sordid details of her lifestyle included, one comes to a feeling worthlessness, hopelessness and even anger.
As the years went by my hatred and distaste for my adopted family grew. Without getting into details I will say that ol’ Mr. 2x4 became a very painful, but familiar part of my day-to-day life. I could never please them no matter how well I succeeded at any given task. Failure was just not allowed.
And these are just some of the factors that ended with me being stuck on the streets. If you want to know more. Just email me. I will be glad to talk with you and make some new friends, and maybe even help get rid of some the stigma attached to those who are on the street or street-involved.
Laxe, musicien de rue
Salut la gang! Laxe, la musique de rue et sa bière vous salues! Voilà10 ans, la rue fut ma fidèle compagne avec ses hauts et ses bas et même très dure àrude épreuve. Seul parmi les amis plus ou moins sincères, profiteurs, je réussi tout de même àsurvivre grâce àla musique et aux centres de jour de Montreal.
À vous tous qui osez me lire! Ce que j'ai àdire de mes diverses expériences en 10 ans dans la rue très sournoise. Qui au départ, avec ses joies de vivre comme boisson, grass, coke and smack etc. Cela débute toujours par le plaisir et traîtrement comme une proie très facile, influencée par les mauvais compagnons et sûrement, voire sombrement, la dépression totale. Encore plus sombre dans ce couloir des ténèbres vers l'enfer absolu. Làoù il n'y a qu'amertume et désespoir. Et aveuglement , tu trébuches et glisses plus profondément dans cet obscurité en ayant plus de douleur, voire même l'écoeurement...jusqu'au suicide. Pauvre être qui comme moi, s'est laissé avoir au filet comme un poisson.À plus la gang!!
Salut, Moi je suis un gars qui c'est sortie de la rue grâce au cinéma. J'ai faites avec Daniel Cross le film SPIT, qui m'a permis de m'en sortir, et ensuite j'ai fais RoachTrip, un voyage à travers le Canada avec mon chum Smash, le Canada vu par 2 punks en autres mots. Pi là, je travaille pour Homeless Nation en tant que porte-parole du projet et créateur du Homeless Radio et je viens de finir un documentaire qui s'intitule "Punk Le Vote" qui est passé à Canal D le 11 mars 2007. Je commence présentement un documentaire sur la répression policière et les contraventions données au monde de la rue. Si vous avez des tickets et vous voulez parlez de votre situation judiciaire, n'hésitez pas À m'écrire un email ou à venir me voir dans la rue. Si vous voulez plus d'info sur ce que je fais, vous pouvez toujours visité le www.roachcam.ca
